Major: Electrician
Most of your classes as an electrician major will involve some lab time: this program is all about learning by doing. You’ll splice wires, measure voltage, and install lighting systems and appliance circuits. By the time you’re through, you’ll have a whole new appreciation for folks like Ben Franklin and Thomas Edison.
Electrician majors learn the skills they need to work as electricians in residential, industrial, and commercial settings.
Did You Know?
- New technologies should spur demand for electricians in the near future.
Are You Ready To...?
- Learn the laws of electricity
- Figure out why the lights are flickering -- and fix them
- Splice wires
- Memorize the National Electrical Code
- Construct motor control circuits
- Build safe work habits
It Helps to Be...
Fascinated by electricity and how things work. Being able to work with small parts is also important. If you’re color blind, you might want to think twice: electrical wires are identified by color.
College Checklist
- Will you receive equal training in residential, industrial, and commercial wiring, or does the program have a certain emphasis?
- Is course work offered in your area of interest, such as marine electricity?
- Will you get adequate real-world experience in an apprenticeship or some other way?
- Will the program prepare you to pass the licensing exam you’ll probably need to take?
- Check out the labs. Is the equipment up-to-date?
- Is the department plugged into the local electrical industry?
- Will you have help when it’s time to look for work?
Did You Know?
- College grads are more likely than those without classroom training to be hired at an advanced level.
Course Spotlight
How do you silence a home alarm gone haywire? Or install a dimmer switch? You’ll find out in residential wiring, a required lecture/lab course for just about all electrician majors. Here you’ll learn the basics of wiring a home, from the best ways to run wire to the workings of outlet boxes. And pay close attention when your prof talks about the National Electrical Code. You may just find yourself tested on it, which makes sense since it sets the standard for the profession.
